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At 34k, the head was replaced due to tappet noise and at that time the hoses were replaced under warranty. At 40k, the expansion tank was replaced under warranty due to leaks.
At 73k, the waterpump died. My wife had just pulled into the garage when the fan went to highest speed and warning post followed. Had it towed and dealer replaced the pump and T-stat. The warranty was up at 60k so I paid. Last night, my wife was at our daughters high school for a meeting. After the meeting and returning to the X5, she found the radiator fluid all over the parking lot. Getting towed to dealer for repair. I believe this will be the radiator tank, given the rest of the cooling system has recently been replaced.

I've had an E32, 2x E36, E39, and this E70. I can get the previous generation models required replacement of the system at ~75K to avoid being stranded, and I've done the work myself. An E70 is another matter and I have a hard time with this consistent failure mode. BMW has not improved design of this critical system at all. This just isn't fun on a $60k vehicle.

I too experienced BMW Assist this week when my water pump went out on the interstate. I am a female and this was quite scary to suddenly hear the fan running so high and the red engine overheating indicator come on within seconds. Lost power and had to coast to the side in rain. I have a 2010 X5 with 30,000 miles! This is my first BMW and only vehicle to ever break down on me. Should this be my last? I love the car but I am worried that it will leave me stranded again.

I was in the drive through coffe line this morning and the yellow alert on the idrive appeared that the engine was warm and i needed to drive moderately. The fan then kicked in heavily. Withing 5 seconds my engine started steaming and the red alert came on warning of the engnine is extremely hot and to shut down immediately. I pulled into the closest parking spot and shut her down. Next thing i know my engine is in a cloud of steam and anti-freeze is pouring out from under my engine like Niagara Falls.

Thankfully my truck in under CPO warranty and the dealsership is only a mile down the street. It's in the process of being diagnosed now. Hopefully it is just a waterpump and covered by CPO. Any thoughts?

I will say, for 58k this should not be an issue. This is my 4th BMW (325ci, 525i, 550i) and I have never had so much as even a bulb going out in owning them for 8 years. I am surprised with this happening. O well, hopefully she is covered by CPO!

I guess I can only count myself lucky that on every incidents I was able to stop right away to let everything cool so knock on wood no additional damage done but I'm shocked to see the inferior quality.

I guess I can only count myself lucky that on every incidents I was able to stop right away to let everything cool so knock on wood no additional damage done but I'm shocked to see the inferior quality.

If it were me, I'd be looking at PRECISELY where these items are "leaking" to make sure they are independent failures and not either (a) a failure to do the first job properly, or (b) damage to parts caused by the prior repair.

If it were me, I'd be looking at PRECISELY where these items are "leaking" to make sure they are independent failures and not either (a) a failure to do the first job properly, or (b) damage to parts caused by the prior repair.

Fair point. Although in all fairness I've been using him for years and he was honest enough to offer the second radiator free of charge, given that it failed a short while after installation. He always gives me the boxes of the spare part to show that he only gets genuine BMW parts as well as the old replaced parts.

Last but not least, the crack on the coolant tank is at an area where it's relatively far from everything else so I would say if it's a damage due to improper work prior, it should have failed shortly after the last service, not months after.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I know at times I tend to be more trusting than necessary.

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I was in the drive through coffe line this morning and the yellow alert on the idrive appeared that the engine was warm and i needed to drive moderately. The fan then kicked in heavily. Withing 5 seconds my engine started steaming and the red alert came on warning of the engnine is extremely hot and to shut down immediately. I pulled into the closest parking spot and shut her down. Next thing i know my engine is in a cloud of steam and anti-freeze is pouring out from under my engine like Niagara Falls.

Thankfully my truck in under CPO warranty and the dealsership is only a mile down the street. It's in the process of being diagnosed now. Hopefully it is just a waterpump and covered by CPO. Any thoughts?

I will say, for 58k this should not be an issue. This is my 4th BMW (325ci, 525i, 550i) and I have never had so much as even a bulb going out in owning them for 8 years. I am surprised with this happening. O well, hopefully she is covered by CPO!

^^^It ended up being the overflow tank had a gasket leak apparently and it was covered under CPO.

However, 3 short weeks later I am sitting at the aiport and i get the orange overheat light again. Had to shut her off and haven't had the issue again..but....Since then I've had my right rear sinking randomly and sitting on top of the tire while the front of the truck lifts up way high almost like it can't figure out how to auto level itself. When i start the truck and drive it it levels out fine. I've also had continual faults such as park brake malfuntion, dsc, EBV brake, stability controal, left brake lamp and AWD malfunction keep popping up on my dash randomly when driving. Although my car drives just fine and i know those items are workoing properly im beginning to think its a battery or alternator issue....my main concern however, is I have been to the dealership 8 times in the last 6 months with this truck (Thank God it is CPO). That's more times combined with my 4 other BMW's.

How old is the battery? if it is original, I woudl FOR SURE replace it. With all the modules these cars use, low voltage can cause issues with one module that then propagate faults around the system. Just replace it and see how it does.

Second, I'd be very concerned you have a incipient water pump issue....

It is the original battery from 2007. The dealership said it sounds like a battery issue or alternator. That isn't a huge concern, but the water pump and air bag system is. Realistically, overall i am concered with the x5 (not truck) because of the small issues i have had in a small amount of time versus my 7 years with 4 other bmw's.....CPO is up in March.

Before i purchased the car the dealership said it has never been in for any repair except general maintenance....perhaps it's just a fluke...

Was sitting at a stop light last night in the rain, car began to overheat again. Shut the car off and waited 5 seconds then restarted it and it was fine. Pulled into my garage and as I did i heaerd the fan kick in high gear, engine smelled like it was burning. Car was fine again this morning.....Taking it Friday and leaving it with BMW until they get their **** together

I believe it was around $300. It was covered under the CPO warranty. They also had to replace an air bag. 3 hours driving after i left the motor light went on. Turns out it was an emmission pump that has no failed.....the funny thing is the service dept kept trying to clear the fault so it would just "dissapear". Needless to say, the truck will be back at the shop for the 9th time in 5 months.

2007 x5 driving today and noticed steam from the motor and my windows starting fogging up. No lights came on, did system check and all was fine. I let it sit for 20 mins then drove it to BMW. Fan never turned on from what I can remember so I suspect that's the problem but I also noticed rad fluid at the bottom right of the rad. 97k

Bought my car used in July. 90,000 miles.
This weekend I was driving home and heard the fan running hard. I said to myself, I'll have the boyfriend check it when I get home.
Didn't make it there. About 8 blocks from home the sign came on telling me to drive moderately and that it's overheating. I pulled over - literally in a cemetery... To let it cool down. ALL of the beamer shops were closed all weekend. This morning I've got a tow company taking it in to a shop.

Think it might be the water pump?
Looks like the same problem everyone else is having!! (Frustrating!!)

Make sure you understand how much the repair should cost so the shop doesnt abuse you,

You can always say "You know, my research says the part is XXX and it is YY hrs laboir...." If they are way off, and refuse to budge, say "Lets hold off on any more work- I need to shop around." Sure, you may need to tow it again, but the new shop might pick it up for you...and just shopping can get you leverage with the original guys...